In 1767, the First Presbyterian Church, then located on Wall Street, established a "New Church" further uptown on Beekman Street. The "New Church" was constructed in 1768 of red brick, and soon was called "Brick Meeting". During the Revolutionary War, the building was used as a hospital and military prison but was restored to religious service in 1784. Brick Meeting became an independent church in 1809. The property was sold in 1856 and became the site of The New York Times offices. In 1858, a new Brick Church was opened on the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 37th Street. Designed by Griffith Thomas, the red-bricked Georgian edifice included a 250-foot spire that contained the old bell. In 1937, Brick Church merged with Park Avenue Presbyterian Church, located at Park Avenue and 85th Street (in the building now occupied by Park Avenue Christian Church). A lot was purchased on Park Avenue and 91st Street, and a new church building, designed by Lewis Ayres of York & Sawyer, was dedicated in 1940. The weather vane and old bell were moved to the new spire, and the 1917 Skinner organ was moved to the new church. The Chapel of the Reformed Faith, designed by Adams & Woodbridge, was constructed in 1952.

In 2002, the Brick Church commissioned organbuilders Casavant Frères of St-Hyacinthe, Québec, to build a new electric slide chest organ of 88 independent stops (101 speaking stops), 118 ranks and 6,288 pipes. Pipe materials and construction reflect late 19th century French practices as developed by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. Winding utilizes double-rise reservoirs along with wooden wind lines and follows the practices of the Casavant brothers in their early instruments. The movable four-manual terraced console, patterned after those built by Casavant in the early 20th century, is of red oak and mahogany and has an ornately carved shell. The façade, designed by Benoît Gendron of Casavant, consists of twin carved, painted, and gilded cases with polished tin pipes. The organ was voiced onsite by Casavant voicers Jean-Sébastien Dufour and Yves Champagne. The voicing was carefully guided by Jean-Louis Coignet, Casavant's Tonal Director Jacquelin Rochette, and Keith S. Toth, Minister of Music.

The organ was dedicated with a recital by Ben van Oosten on November 7, 2005.

Grand-Orgue (Manual I) – 61 notes

32

Bourdon [ext. 16; 1-12 fr. Soub]

—

2

Doublette

61

16

Montre

61

2 2/3

Grande Fourniture III-VII rangs

326

16

Bourdon

61

1 1/3

Fourniture II-V rangs

224

8

Montre

61

1

Cymbale III-IV rangs

232

8

Salicional

61

16

Basson [ext.]

12

8

Bourdon

61

8

Baryton

61

4

Prestant

61

Grand Orgue Grave

2 2/3

Quinte

61

Grand Orgue Muet

Grand-Chœur (Manual I) – 61 notes

16

Violonbasse [ext.]

12

16

Bombarde

61

8

Flûte harmonique

61

8

Trompette

61

8

Violon

61

4

Clairon

61

4

Flûte octaviante

61

Grand Chœur Grave

16

Grand Cornet V [fr. Cornet V]

—

Grand Chœur Muet

8

Cornet V ranks [TC]

245

Positif expressif (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed

16

Quintaton

61

1 1/3

Larigot

61

8

Principal

61

1 1/7

Septième

61

8

Dulciane

61

1

Piccolo

61

8

Unda maris [GG]

54

1 1/3

Plein-Jeu II-V rangs

233

8

Flûte harmonique

61

16

Clarinette basse

61

8

Bourdon

61

8

Trompette

61

4

Prestant

61

8

Cromorne

61

4

Flûte douce

61

4

Clarinette soprano

61

2 2/3

Nasard

61

Tremolo (Tremblant doux)

2

Flageolet

61

Positif Grave

1 3/5

Tierce

61

Positif Muet

Récit expressif (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed

16

Bourdon

61

16

Bombarde

61

8

Diapason

61

8

Trompette harmonique

61

8

Flûte traversière

61

8

Basson-Hautbois

61

8

Viole de gambe

61

8

Voix humaine

61

8

Voix céleste

61

8

Clarinette

61

8

Cor de nuit

61

4

Clairon harmonique

61

8

Voix éolienne [TC]

49

Tremolo (à vent perdu)

4

Fugara

61

Clochettes

4

Flûte octaviante

61

Récit Grave

2 2/3

Nasard

61

Récit Muet

2

Octavin

61

Récit Octave

8

Cornet harmonique II-V rangs

245

Sostenuto

2

Plein Jeu harm. II-V rangs

228

Soloexpressif (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed

8

Flûte majeure

61

16

Tuba magna [TC, fr. Tuba 8]

—

8

Flûtes célestes II rangs *

110

16

Cor de basset

61

8

Violoncelle

61

8

Tuba mirabilis

61

8

Céleste

61

8

Cor français *

61

4

Viole d'amour

61

8

Cor anglais [free reeds] +

61

4

Flûte de concert

61

Tremolo (à vent perdu)

2 2/3

Nasard harmonique

61

Solo Grave

2

Octavin

61

Solo Muet

1 3/5

Tierce harmonique

61

Solo Octave

2

Piccolo harmonique

61

Sostenuto

1/3

Clochette harmonique

61

* from E.M. Skinner organ, Op. 280 (1917)

+ made in France, late 19th century

Pédale – 32 notes

32

Soubasse [ext.]

12

5 1/3

Quinte

32

16

Flûte

32

4 4/7

Grande Septième

32

16

Contrebasse

32

4

Octave

32

16

Violonbasse

G-C

4

Flûte

32

16

Soubasse

32

2

Cor de nuit

32

16

Montre

G-O

32

Contre Bombarde [ext.]

12

16

Bourdon

RÉC

16

Bombarde

32

10 2/3

Grande Quinte

32

16

Basson

G-O

8

Flûte

32

16

Bombarde

RÉC

8

Violoncelle

32

8

Trompette

32

8

Bourdon

32

8

Baryton

G-O

6 2/5

Grande Tierce

32

4

Clairon

32

Couplers (Multiplex)

Grand Orgue à la Pédale

Grand Orgue au Positif

Grand Chœur à la Pédale

Grand Chœur au Positif

Récit à la Pédale

Récit Grave au Positif

Récit Octave à la Pédale

Récit au Positif

Positif à la Pédale

Récit Octave au Positif

Postif Octave à la Pédale

Solo au Positif

Solo à la Pédale

Solo au Récit

Solo Octave à la Pédale

Solo Octave au Récit

Récit Grave au Grand Orgue

Grand Chœur au Solo

Récit au Grand Orgue

Récit Octave au Grand Orgue

G.O. – G.C. / Positif Reverse

Positif Grave au Grand Orgue

(including divisional combinations;
not affected by combination action,
crescendo or full organ)

From 1995-96, the Austin organ was rebuilt, enlarged, and tonally revised by Bruce Shultz of Bruce Shultz and Associates of Philadelphia. Several stops from the 1917-1940 Ernest M. Skinner organ were incorporated in the four-manual instrument.

In 1963, an entirely new organ was built by Austin Organs of Hartford. Several stops from the 1917/1940 Ernest M. Skinner organ were incorporated into the four-manual 106-rank instrument.

The Brick Church organ was one of a "quartet" of large and important Austin organs installed in 1961 in New York City, the others being at the Church of the Heavenly Rest (Op. 1586-B), Fifth Avenue Presbyterian (Op. 2347), and First Presbyterian (Op. 2408).

The first organ in the present building was originally built in 1917 by the Ernest M. Skinner Company of Boston for the Brick Church building on Fifth Avenue. In 1940, the organ was rebuilt with a new four-manual console and installed in the new building by Ernest M. Skinner & Son Company of Methuen, Mass. The rebuilt organ was dedicated on December 10, 1940, with a recital by Dr. Clarence Dickinson, assisted by the Brick Church Motet Choir and the Chapel Choir of Union Theological Seminary.

Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed

16

Diapason

61

4

Flute Harmonique

61

8

First Diapason

61

4

Octave

61

8

Second Diapason

61

Grave Mixture II ranks

122

8

Third Diapason

CH

Mixture IV ranks

244

8

Stentorphone

61

8

Flügel Horn

CH

8

Erzahler

61

16

Ophicleide

SO

8

Gamba

SO

8

Trumpet

SO

8

Orchestral Strings

—

8

Tuba

SO

8

Dulciana

CH

4

Clarion

SO

8

Harmonic Flute

61

Harp

CH

8

Waldflote

SO

Celesta

CH

8

Concert Flute

CH

Chimes

EC

8

Flute Celeste

CH

Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed

16

Bourdon

73

4

Violina

73

8

First Diapason

73

4

Flute Harmonique

73

8

Second Diapason

73

4

Octave

73

8

Salicional

73

2

Flautino

61

8

Viole d'Orchestre

73

Cornet 3 ranks

183

8

Voix Celeste

73

Mixture IV ranks

244

8

Orchestral Strings

—

16

Contra Posaune

73

8

Viole d'Amour

73

8

Cornopean

73

8

Unda Maris

73

8

Oboe

73

8

Clarabella

73

8

Vox Humana [sep. box]

61

8

Gedeckt

73

4

Clarion

73

8

Spitzflote

73

Tremolo

8

Flute Celeste

73

Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed

16

Gemshorn

73

1 1/7

Septieme

61

16

Contra Gamba

73

2

Piccolo

61

8

Diapason

73

16

Fagotto

73

8

Dolce

73

8

Clarinet

73

8

Orchestral Strings

—

8

Flügel Horn

73

8

Dulciana

73

8

English Horn

SO

8

Kleine Erzähler

73

8

French Horn

SO

8

Concert Flute

73

8

Tuba Mirabilis

SO

8

Quintadena

73

8

Harp

4

Flute d'Amour

73

4

Celesta

2 2/3

Nazard

61

Tremolo

1 3/5

Tierce

61

Choir Echo Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed

8

Gedeckt

—

8

Flügel Horn

—

8

Vox Angelica II ranks

—

8

Vox Humana

—

8

Chimney Flute

—

Chimes

27 notes

Mixture III ranks

—

16

Pedal Bourdon

—

Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed

8

Diapason

73

8

English Horn

73

8

Stentorphone

73

8

French Horn

73

8

Harmonic Flute

73

16

Ophicleide

73

8

Gamba

73

8

Trumpet

73

8

Gamba Celeste

73

8

Tuba

73

8

Orchestral Strings

—

8

Tuba Mirabilis

73

4

Solo Flute

73

4

Clarion

73

8

Musette

73

Tremolo

8

Orchestral Oboe

73

Solo Echo Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed

8

Gedeckt

73

8

Flügel Horn

73

8

Vox Angelica II ranks

134

8

Vox Humana

61

8

Chimney Flute

73

Chimes

27 tubes

Mixture III ranks

183

Tremolo

16

Pedal Bourdon

12

Orchestral Strings (floating) – 61 notes, enclosed

8

Gross Gamba

73

8

Viole Celeste

73

8

Gamba Celeste

73

4

Octave

73

8

Viole d'Orchestre

73

Tremolo

N.B. The Orchestral Strings was a separate string organ of five ranks of various scales and voicing tuned as a large celeste and in its own box, which was controlled automatically by the swell shoe of the manual on which the strings were drawn. If drawn on two or more manuals at the same time, the Swell Organ shoe would control this box. The tremolo of each manual controlled its tremolo.

The Hilborne L. Roosevelt organ in the Park Avenue Presbyterian Church was a rebuild of the 1860 Thomas Robjohn organ built for the South Dutch Reformed Church located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 21st Street. In 1911, the organ was moved to the new South church building on Park Avenue.

In 1917, the Ernest M. Skinner Company of Boston built a new four-manual organ, retaining the 1898 George S. Hutchings organ case. An unusual feature of this organ was the set of Master expression shutters that controlled the entire organ. Clarence Dickinson played the dedicatory recital in November 1918. When the new church building on Park Avenue was built in 1940, E.M. Skinner & Son was contracted to move and rebuild the 1917 organ.

Dr. Clarence Dickinson

It was under the leadership of Dr. Clarence Dickinson, who was organist and choirmaster from 1909-1960, that the church's music program rose to national prominence. Dr. Dickinson, along with his wife, Dr. Helen Dickinson, founded the School of Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed

16

Diapason

61

8

Flute Celeste

CH

8

First Diapason

61

8

Dulciana

CH

8

Second Diapason

61

4

Octave

61

8

Third Diapason

CH

4

Flute Harmonique

61

8

Stentorphone

SO

Mixture IV ranks

244

8

Philomela

SO

16

Ophicleide

SO

8

Grossflote

61

8

Trumpet

SO

8

Waldflote

61

8

Tuba

SO

8

Erzahler

61

4

Clarion

SO

8

Orchestral Strings

—

Harp

CH

8

Gamba

SO

Celesta

CH

8

Concert Flute

CH

Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed

16

Bourdon

73

8

Flute Celeste

73

8

First Diapason

73

4

Octave

73

8

Second Diapason

73

4

Flute Harmonique

73

8

Clarabella

73

2

Piccolo Harmonique

61

8

Gedeckt

73

Mixture IV ranks

244

8

Salicional

73

16

Contra Posaune

73

8

Viole d'Orchestre

73

8

Cornopean

73

8

Voix Celeste

73

8

Oboe

73

8

Orchestral Strings

—

8

Vox Humana [sep. box]

61

8

Viole d'Amour

73

4

Clarion

73

8

Unda Maris

73

Tremolo

8

Spitzflote

73

Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed

16

Contra Gamba

73

2

Piccolo

61

8

Diapason

73

16

Fagotto

73

8

Concert Flute

73

8

Clarinet

73

8

Flute Celeste

73

8

Flugel Horn

73

8

Quintadena

73

8

English Horn

SO

8

Dulcet II ranks

146

8

Orchestral Oboe

SO

8

Dulciana

73

8

French Horn

SO

8

Orchestral Strings

—

8

Tuba Mirabilis

SO

8

Kleine Erzahler II ranks

146

Tremolo

4

Flute d'Amour

73

Harp

2 2/3

Nazard

61

Celesta

Choir Echo Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed

8

Gedeckt

—

8

Flugel Horn

—

8

Vox Angelica II ranks

—

Chimes

—

8

Chimney Flute

—

16

Pedal Bourdon

—

Mixture III ranks

—

Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed

8

Stentorphone

73

8

Tuba

73

8

Philomela [ext. PED]

17

8

Trumpet

73

8

Gamba

73

8

French Horn

73

8

Gamba Celeste

73

8

English Horn

73

8

Orchestral Strings

—

8

Musette

73

8

Solo Flute

73

8

Orchestral Oboe

73

Mixture III ranks

183

4

Clarion

73

16

Ophicleide

73

Tremolo

8

Tuba Mirabilis

73

Solo Echo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed

16

Bourdon

61

8

Flugel Horn

61

8

Gedeckt

61

8

Vox Humana

61

8

Vox Angelica II ranks

122

Tremolo

4

Chimney Flute

61

Chimes

27 tubes

Mixture III ranks

183

16

Pedal Bourdon

EC

Orchestral Strings (floating) – 61 notes, enclosed

8

Gross Gamba

73

8

Viole Celeste

73

8

Gamba Celeste

73

8

Vox Humana

73

8

Viole d'Orchestre

73

Tremolo

N.B. The Orchestral Strings was a separate string organ of five ranks of various scales and voicing tuned as a large celeste and in its own box, which was controlled automatically by the swell shoe of the manual on which the strings were drawn. If drawn on two or more manuals at the same time, the Swell Organ shoe would control this box. The tremolo of each manual controlled its tremolo.

In 1898, as a thank-offering for the first fifteen years of ministry by Dr. van Dyke, the pastor, the rear gallery and organ were greatly enlarged. George S. Hutchings of Boston was contracted to build their Opus 428, a modern three-manual organ having electro-pneumatic action and fifty ranks.

The organ was controlled by a Hutchings Patented Movable Console, often referred to as a "bat-wing" console due to its hinged stop jambs on either side of the keyboards; the jambs could be pulled in toward the keyboards in order to close the rolltop cover.

Following are the original published specifications along with suggested pipecounts based on Hutchings organs of the era. By 1904 the organ had been altered slightly — including the addition of a pair of undulating strings in the Choir and a 32' Resultant in the Pedal — as listed in a 1904 program given by Archer Gibson, organist of the church.

In 1917, the Hutchings organ was replaced by a new organ built by the Ernest M. Skinner Company, his Op. 280. Skinner rebuilt the Hutchings organ and provided a new console (as Op. 279) before moving it to Trinity Episcopal Church in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes

16

Open Diapason

61

4

Octave

61

8

First Open Diapason

61

4

Hohl Flute

61

8

Second Open Diapason

61

2 2/3

Octave Quinte

61

8

Viola d'Amour

61

2

Super Octave

61

8

Gross Gamba

61

Mixture IV ranks

244

8

Doppel Flote

61

8

Trumpet

61

Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed

16

Bourdon Bass

12

4

Gemshorn

61

16

Bourdon Treble [TC]

49

4

Flute Harmonique

61

8

Open Diapason

61

2

Flageolet

61

8

Salicional

61

Dolce Cornet III ranks

183

8

Æoline

61

16

Contra Fagotto

61

8

Vox Celestis

61

8

Cornopean

61

8

Stopped Diapason

61

8

Oboe

61

8

Spitz Flute

61

8

Vox Humana

61

Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed

16

Contra Gamba

61

4

Fugara

61

8

Open Diapason

61

4

Flute d'Amour

61

8

Dolce

61

2

Piccolo Harmonique

61

8

Concert Flute

61

8

Clarinet

61

8

Quintadena

61

Pedal Organ – 30 notes

16

Open Diapason

30

8

Violoncello

30

16

Violone

30

8

Gedackt

30

16

Bourdon

30

16

Trombone

30

10 2/3

Quinte

30

8

Tromba

30

8

Flote

30

Couplers
(Oscillating tablets)

Swell to Great 8'

Great to Pedal

Swell to Swell 4'

Great Separation

Swell to Swell 16'

Choir to Great 8'

Swell to Choir 8'

Choir to Great 16'

Swell to Pedal

Choir to Pedal

Great to Great 4'

Adjustable Combinations

Four and Release operating on Great and Pedal stops

Five and Release operating on Swell and Pedal stops

Three and Release operating on Choir and Pedal stops

General Release

Pedal Release

Pedal Movements

Great to Pedal Reversible

Balanced Swell Pedal

Full Organ Pedal controlling entire organ

Balanced Choir Pedal

Swell Tremolo

Balanced Crescendo Pedal

Choir Tremolo

Richard M. Ferris Organ (1858)

Organ in church located on Fifth Avenue at 37th Street:

Richard M. FerrisNew York City (1858)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 32 stops
Rebuilt and moved by William J. Stuart (ca. 1866)
Moved to rear gallery by Hilborne L. Roosevelt (1883)

When the new Brick Church was built on Fifth Avenue at 37th Street in Murray Hill, "... it had been determined that the violoncello should no longer supply the church’s music. This innovation, which the trustees had early made a part of their plans, was, it is interesting to know, heartily desired by the congregation and by the session, 'in the hope,' as they said, 'of adding interest to the public worship of the sanctuary.' The debated question in regard to the organ, therefore, was not whether there should be one, but where it should be placed, some favoring the front of the church above the entrance, and others at the west end behind the pulpit." The decision was made to place the church's first organ in a small gallery above and behind the pulpit. Built in 1858 by Richard M. Ferris of New York City, the organ had two manuals and 32 stops, and cost $2,300.

Only a few years later (ca. 1866) the church desired a quartette to replace the single chorister. “No proper space had been provided in the new church for a choir, even of four voices, and it was at first thought that the best way of dealing with this difficulty would be to open an entirely new gallery under the tower at the east end of the church. But Mr. Thomas, the architect, recommended a less costly change, by which the gallery behind the pulpit might still be utilized. Under his supervision the columns, whose arrangement had interfered with that gallery’s use, were now moved to their present positions, providing a clear space of ten feet in the centre. Here it was designed that the quartette should stand, while the organ, considerably enlarged (“reconstructed by Mr. William J. Stewart” [sic] of Albany), was moved back as far as was necessary, a certain portion of the room in the rear being appropriated for this purpose. When these structural changes had been made, a quartette was engaged and a new era in the history of worship in the Brick Church had begun. The trustees had dealt with the matter in a generous spirit and provided out of the church treasury the additional sum which the change involved. The music, which had been costing $1,400, now called for $2,500. By 1869, the annual cost of the music had come to be nearly $4,000.

Ferris & Stuart Organ as moved by Hilborne L. Roosevelt (1883)

During the months of June–October 1883, the notably plain Meetinghouse-style church was extensively decorated by artist John La Farge “and executed by Miss Tillinghast” at a cost of $30,000–$40,000. One important change made at this time was the removal of the organ and choir from the gallery above and behind the pulpit (where the spaces between the columns were filled in with mosaic-covered walls) to a new gallery opened at the east (main entrance) end of the church. The church engaged Hilborne L. Roosevelt, noted organ builder of New York City, to move the organ, but Roosevelt did not assign an opus number to this job. For an unknown reason, Mr. Roosevelt had to sue the church in order to be paid the $900 owed him.

Specifications for these organs have not yet been located.

Organ in Lecture Room of church located on Fifth Avenue at 37th Street:

Unknown Builder(1872)

In 1872, a small pipe organ was erected in the Lecture Room of the "Chapel” building located behind the church. The specification for this organ has not yet been located.

Sources:
Aeolian-Skinner Archives web site: http://aeolian-skinner.110mb.com/
Archive of the City of New York. Hilborne L. Roosevelt sues Brick Church for non-payment of $900.
"The Brick Presbyterian Church Sanctuary Organ," program booklet published by The Brick Church, 2005.
Brick Presbyterian Church web site: http://brickchurch.org
Casavant Frères, Limitée web site: http://www.casavant.ca/
"Dedicatory Organ Recital by Clarence Dickinson" (December 10, 1940). Program with specifications of Ernest M. Skinner & Son Company organ (1940). New York: The Brick Church, 1940. Courtesy Jonathan Bowen.
Dunlap, David W. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004. Holden, Dorothy. The Life and Work of Ernest M. Skinner. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1987. Kinzey, Allen, and Sand Lawn. E.M. Skinner/Aeolian-Skinner Opus List (New Revised Edition). Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1997.
Knapp, Shepherd. A History of the Brick Presbyterian Church in the City of New York. New York: The Trustees of the Brick Presbyterian Church, 1908.
Lewis, James. Specifications of George S. Hutchings organ, Op. 428 (1898) from a 1904 recital program given by Archer Gibson, organist of The Brick Church.
Ochse, Orpha. Austin Organs. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 2001. Ogasapian, John. Organ Building in New York City: 1700-1900. Braintree: The Organ Literature Foundation, 1977.
Scheer, Stanley. Factory Specifications of Casavant Frères organ, Op. 3837 (2005). Courtesy Jeff Scofield.
Lewis, James. Specifications of George S. Hutchings organ, Op. 428 (1898) from a 1904 recital program given by Archer Gibson, organist of The Brick Church.
Trupiano, Larry. Specifications of George S. Hutchings organ, Op. 428 (1898).